New York.— A witness to the shooting that occurred this Monday in an office building on Park Avenue, Manhattan, reported that, upon hearing the shots, she sent a farewell message to her parents for fear of not surviving the attack.
Jessica Chen, who was on an upper floor during the incident, explained that upon perceiving the burst of gunfire, she and her colleagues blocked the door of the room with tables and sought shelter. In the midst of the panic, Chen decided to contact her parents to express her affection, believing that it could be the last time she would do so.
The shooting, recorded at the end of the workday, left five people dead, including the alleged attacker, and several injured. The incident took place in a skyscraper that houses the headquarters of the NFL and the investment firm Blackstone. According to the authorities, the attacker, identified as Shane Tamura, entered armed with an assault rifle and shot at several people before taking his own life.
Among the fatalities is a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, Didarul Islam, who had three and a half years of service. Mayor Eric Adams reported that one of the victims remains in critical condition and that four others were injured while trying to flee the building.
Police indicated that the attacker had a history of mental health issues and that their vehicle was tracked in several states before arriving in New York. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
The authorities are keeping the investigation open and have reinforced security in the area while gathering more testimonies from those present during the event.
